Abstract

Internal polymer columnar structures in liquid crystal(LC) cells have been produced using the method of thermally-induced phase separation of LC/prepolymer solution and solidified by photopolymerization. These polymer columns adhere to both substrates and enhance control of the LC cell spacing and mechanical stability. The existence and profile of the polymer columns were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Supertwisted nematic LC cells with polymer columnar structures have been constructed using this method and their electro-optical characteristics measured.